It only feels like yesterday when the kids were off for summer, but here we are again – faced with another school holiday, trying to think of ways to keep our little ones occupied. Thankfully, we’ve come up with some ideas to keep your kids entertained and prevent them from uttering those two words every parent dreads: “I’m bored!” Head outside Kids can go stir crazy in a matter of minutes when kept indoors. So, to stop them (and you) suffering from cabin fever, try and get out for a few hours each day – otherwise, when the bitter chill of winter arrives, you’ll regret not getting out more! Autumn’s the perfect season for pretty walks in the park and bike rides through the countryside. Or, if the weather’s kind to us this year, how about organising a camping trip? Pitch up and gather around a warm, cosy campfire for the evening. Just remember to pack a torch like the hard-wearing beam  Multi-purpose Pro , which utilises Cree LED, is particularly recommended for camping...

It’s nearly that time of the year again, when witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls take to our streets in search of sweet treats. If you’re planning to stay safely inside your home this Halloween while the gruesome ghastlies roam outside, why not host a spooktastic party of your own? Rustle up terrifying treats (think zombie fingers made from cocktail sausages), get Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ on your playlist, and hang cobwebs in every corner of every room. Oh, and don’t forget to let your friends know that it’s strictly fancy dress! To make sure your guests are well and truly spooked, we’ve put together some ideas for frightening finishing touches: Scary fairy lights Have an old set of battery-powered fairy lights hanging around? If so, you can easily transform them into something terrifying using a set of ping pong balls and a black marker! Draw freakish faces, eyeballs and skulls on the balls before piercing a small hole in the bottom of each one and threading a li...

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and in particular, Instagram, have given rise to a new, photographic phenomenon: the selfie. According to a Frames Direct infographic, millennials take nine selfies a week, spending around seven minutes on each one. It’s estimated that they’ll take a staggering 27,500 selfies over their lifetime! Whether you’re out in a bar with friends, cheering on your favourite football team or gazing at a glorious sunset, there are endless situations where you may find yourself reaching for your phone in search for that perfect, self-portrait shot. Here are our top 6 tips to help you take the perfect selfie, every time: Go natural Forget fluorescent or artificial lighting – soft, natural light is key to selfie success. Sunlight helps to highlight your facial features and at the same time, minimise shadows (meaning no more dark circles underneath the eyes). So, if you’re setting up an indoor shot, position yourself near a window o...

Autumn brings with it shorter days and longer, darker nights, creating the perfection conditions for opportunists planning to break into vulnerable properties. While you can’t prevent a burglary altogether, there are many things you can do to improve the security of your home and to deter thieves from targeting you. So, as those nights start drawing in, heed these seven tips for keeping your home safe this autumn: 1. Light it up Installing motion-sensor lights outside of your property will discourage burglars from breaking in out of fear that they’ll get caught. The GP Safeguard boasts a bright, energy-efficiency LED light and an adjustable sensor angle; it’s wireless and doesn’t require an electric socket, meaning it can be installed almost anywhere with ease. 2. Set timers If you’re out for the evening or away for the weekend, set timers on your lights (particularly in the hallway and living room) to give the impression that someone’s home. It’s also worth lett...

Whether it’s under the bed, in the kitchen or out in the garage, all homeowners have a drawer that at first seems to be loaded with junk, but on second glance, actually contains a heap of handy tools and accessories for around (and outside of) the house. Even if that drawer is a little messy (organised chaos?), it’s the go-to place whenever we’re looking for that ‘something.’ Here’s a rundown of some of the most used things to keep in your “stuff” drawer... 1. Tape measure Will that dishwasher you’ve been eyeing up on the internet fit in that space? There’s only one way to find out: grab the tape measure! This is an essential item for all homeowners, whether you’re into DIY or not! 2. Batteries Who knows when your remote will run out of juice or bell stop ringing… save yourself a late-night trip to the shops by stocking-up on batteries. Buy rechargeables like GP’s ReCyko+ Pros – which which can be charged over 1,500 times – and you’ll save cash while also doing yo...

Little do we realise, but many of the things we do on a daily basis increase our carbon footprint, from making a cup of tea, to taking a shower and using our computers. The bigger our footprint, the more greenhouse gas we pump into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming and climate change. Suffice to say, if we all made an effort to limit our carbon footprint, we could significantly curb our effect on the planet. Reducing your footprint doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul, either; making a few small changes can have a huge impact in the long run. Let’s take a look at five simple ways you can minimise your carbon footprint: 1. Cut down on driving Vehicles are a major cause of global warming, with vans and cars in the UK accounting for 17% of the Britain’s total carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Committee on Climate Change . Think of how you can cut your time spent behind the wheel – can you cycle to work a couple of days a week? Can you w...

Human beings are creatures of habit and so when it comes to the things we buy, we tend to stick to the same, trusted brands, time and time again. After all, as the saying goes, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ However, fortune favours the brave and it could pay off to give new brands a try. You may discover that their products are of a higher quality and better value than those of the brand you’ve been using for years! Time to try GP Here’s a suggestion: the next time your battery stash runs low, why not give GP a try? ‘Who are GP?’ you ask. Well, we’re a multinational company that’s been designing and making  exceptional-quality batteries for over 50 years – since 1964, in fact. We’re based in Hong Kong and are the largest manufacturer of batteries in Asia and the Nordics. Our products are sold in countries across and the globe; and when it comes to batteries, we produce over four billion every year! Our batteries come in a wide range of types, shapes an...

Modern-day technologies have transformed the way we live, work and communicate. Specifically, they’ve also had a profound impact on how kids learn. Digital tools and devices are replacing outdated teaching methods in the classroom and at home, providing kids with an extra platform to further their learning and quench that thirst for knowledge. Rather than viewing digital devices as a distraction, parents should find innovative and creative ways to incorporate them into their child’s education to support and enhance learning at home.   Learning gets digital With tech becoming increasingly integrated within our daily lives, it’s no surprise that it’s being relied on more and more in the classroom. Whether they are watching online tutorials, using an interactive whiteboard or completing internet-based tasks, the more kids use tech, the more confident they’ll become – helping to set them up for a competitive, digital future. From the classroom to the home Digital d...

With your flight just a few days away, your fully-stuffed suitcase has been weighed, zipped and padlocked, and is ready to go. Now, it’s time to hone-in on your hand luggage. Whether you’re flying short- or long-haul, jetting-off on a business trip or two-week holiday, here are five essential items you need in your carry-on luggage. Music Packing your device with a good playlist (don’t forget to download it so you can listen offline!) and a set of a headphones could turn out to be a real life-saver, especially if you’re flying solo, as you have little choice when it comes to your neighbours. In any case, whether it’s a rowdy stag do sitting a few rows back, or a kid behind you who feels compelled to narrate their entire flight experience, having your own music to hand means you can switch on, switch off and zone out. Bliss… Travel pillow You don’t need to be a frequent flyer to know that plane seats aren’t always luxurious, so anything you can buy to make you feel ...